Following the arrival of some 5,000 doses of Sputnik V second doses last Friday, the Ministry of Health began distribution on Monday and Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has said doses are expected to be sent to interior regions later in the week.
During his daily COVID-19 update, Anthony stated that following the arrival of those doses, the country is expected to receive more every week. As of Monday, it was noted, that second doses would be distributed to persons who had their first dose in April and others in May.
“As of today this would be given first to the persons who had their first dose in April and in May so if you got your first dose in April or May, you can come forward now and get your second dose,” Anthony said.
He also noted that the ministry has allocated doses for all regions. However, distribution has begun in regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six, with distribution in other regions expected to take place during the week. This, Anthony said, was as a result of logistics and other issues relating to the cold chain.
“All the interior areas, later in the week we will be sending some doses to them because it entails you having to do the cold storage, so that we will be able by Wednesday to get some doses out to them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Anthony added that as of Sunday some 287,837 persons in total have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while some 147,128 persons have received their second dose. He further noted that the ministry has seen an uptake in the general first dose vaccination campaign. Against this background, he urged persons to continue coming forward to get their vaccines as he mentioned that the ministry would like to see a larger uptake in the second dose numbers as well.
